Environment Canada issued an alert Tuesday afternoon that snowy weather was on the horizon for the Kootenays.
"A frontal system will move into the Southern Interior of British Columbia tonight which will produce a band of snow over the Kootenay district. A total of 10 to 15 centimetres is expected before the system weakens Wednesday afternoon," the alert said.
A more localized "heads up" came from Mainroad East Kootenay, which sends out weather warnings to local stakeholders.
Mainroad's private meteorologists were predicting about eight centimetres to fall in lower areas like Cranbrook and Moyie. Yahk, Kimberley, Fernie and Elkford could see between 10 and 15 centimetres.
"This will continue through Wednesday evening and taper off overnight, with winds picking up and tempratures dropping. Drying out by Friday again," the Mainroad warning reads.
"Because we've had such a long, relatively dry spell, we all need to be ready.
"Mainroad has full crews and fleets ready. Please watch for our trucks out there and give plenty of space around them.
"At this point we expect daytime temps of about -2 or -3, so we should be able to clear the main routes fairly quickly. As always there will be a transition period of wet roads so caution must be exercised."
Check www.drivebc.ca for current road conditions.